Environment AND Economic Growth

President Obama's recently passed stimulus package was not only an economic stimulus, but it included several points of environmental protection and legislation on cleaner and more efficient energy. In many of the instances the government stimulus is expected to protect the environment while at the same time, help boost the economy. Some examples include the following:

• Setting aside $5 billion worth of spending for weathering homes and buildings to become more energy efficient. This in turn is expected to economically help those in the business of weathering homes. Additionally, it will prevent 9.7 million tons of global warming pollution from being produced and create 375,000 jobs.
• A tenth of the money will be given to environmental initiatives, with $32.80bn in funding for clean energy projects, $26.86bn for energy efficiency initiatives and $18.95bn for green transportation, giving a total of $78.61bn directly earmarked for green projects according to an analysis made by Environment America.
• About 3.5 million 'green-collar' jobs are expected to be created or saved over the next two years.
  
• In the original Senate version of the package, a provision of $50 billion would have gone to and been used by the nuclear and coal industries; however, this provision has been cut from the recently passed package.
• The stimulus package is also expected to create 67,000 solar jobs in 2009, and 119,000 in total through 2010.
  
• $8bn in new high-speed rail projects will also be invested.
  

A setback environmentally was the plan to upgrade the country's electric transmission system to use renewable energy and improve its efficiency. It's original funding was to be $11 billion but was cut to $4.5 billion.

There's a whole list of environmental provisions included in the stimulus found at this link: http://environment.about.com/od/environmentallawpolicy/a/econ_stimulus.htm

What also makes me pleased about this stimulus package is that the money will be disbursed accountably and transparently. Vice President Joe Biden is even in charge of tracking this accountability. The White House is also creating a website to track the spending. I find all of these environmental provisions and even the set backs as astounding accomplishments. Not every environmental need will be met by the government, but the government is taking a big lead in promoting environmental protection. Hopefully, this will inspire other countries and companies around the world to act. Most arguments against protecting the environment have been from those arguing economic advancement, but most of these provisions are benefiting our country both economically and environmentally.

Some online sources I used to look up this data relating to the Stimulus Package include:
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2236575/obama-stimulus-bill-green